NTT DOCOMO and Abside Networks have entered into a basic agreement to develop future communications infrastructure using HAPS and realise an AI-integrated network. The companies will consider cooperation in areas including wide-area, high-capacity communications and advanced network control.
NTT DOCOMO and Abside Networks entered into a basic agreement on 13 October 2026 to develop future communications infrastructure using HAPS and realise next-generation networks using AI. Going forward, the companies plan to jointly study areas including wide-area, high-capacity communications using HAPS, data utilisation and network control.
As background, DOCOMO cited its ongoing study and trials of HAPS services and the need for expertise in RAN and equipment development suited to the stratospheric environment. Abside has experience in stratospheric communications and is developing network control technology using NTN and AI, and the two companies confirmed that their technologies could complement each other.
Looking ahead, the companies plan to jointly study RAN and orchestration technologies for the integrated control of terrestrial networks (TN) and non-terrestrial networks (NTN), with the aim of realising the AI3D network concept. Through the use of its AI3DR (RAN) product range and AI-driven software platform, Abside aims to integrate networks spanning terrestrial, stratospheric and space domains.